About the Beer Purchasers’ Index
By: Lester Jones, NBWA Vice President, Analytics and Chief Economist
The NBWA Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) is an informal monthly statistical release giving distributors a timely and reliable indicator of industry beer purchasing activity. BPI is the only forward-looking indicator for the industry to measure expected beer demand (one month forward) in the marketplace. Similar to the widely recognized Purchasing Managers’ Index, the BPI is a net-rising index and a leading indicator of industry performance based on survey responses from participating beer purchasers. The index surveys beer distributors’ purchases across different segments and compares them to that of previous years’ purchases. A reading greater than 50 indicates the segment is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates the segment is contracting.
The Latest Data
As the beer industry enters the summer selling season, the Beer Purchasers’ Index (45) and At-Risk Inventory (47) measures show sequential improvement over the preceding three months. The At-Risk Inventory measure dropped below the 50 benchmark for the first time since January.
This combination of readings moves the industry from contractionary territory to a more cautionary state.
Across the segments, FMB/Seltzer registered its eighth highest reading of the past three years and a significant increase from its May 2023 reading of 26, reflecting a positive shift in its long-term index trend.
Looking across the segments for May:
- The index for imports fell 30-points to 42 in May 2025 from 72 in May 2024.
- The craft index at 20 for May 2025 continues to signal contraction in this segment and is 12-points lower than the May 2024 reading at 32.
- The premium lights index fell to 37 for May 2025, 17-points lower than the May 2024 reading at 54.
- The premium regular index fell to 42 for May 2025, 11-points lower than the May 2024 reading at 53.
- The below premium segment for May 2025 at 47 is three points lower than the May 2024 reading of 50.
- The FMB/seltzer reading for May 2025 at 39 is three points lower than the May 2024 reading at 42.
- Finally, the cider segment posted a May 2025 reading at 33 compared to 31 for May 2024.
Beer Distributors
Please sign up to participate and receive the first and only advance notice of expectations for increasing or decreasing sales. Complete the form below using your company’s primary beer purchaser’s contact information. For additional information, please email bpi@nbwa.org.
Beer Distributor Expectations Sign Up
Sign up to participate and receive the first and only advance notice of expectations for increasing or decreasing sales!